Retinoscope.



PATENTED JAN. 13, 1903.

W. H. RBISNER.

` RBTINOSGVOPE.

APPLICATION FILED AVUG. 23, 1901.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

l/VILLIAM HARRY REISNER, OF I-IAGERSTO'WN, MARYLAND.

RETINOSCOPE.

SEEGFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,384, dated January 13, 1903. Y

Application filed August 23,1901. Serial No. 73,032- (NO model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, WILLIAM HARRY REIS- NER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hagerstown, in the county of Washington and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Retinoscopes, of which the following is a specification.

My said invention consists in an improved construction and arrangement of parts of retinoscopes whereby the axis of an astigmatic eye may be accurately determined and a basis thus established upon which to Work in itting a lens to correct the error, as will'be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure lis a rear elevation of a retinoscope embodying my said invention; Fig. 2, a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3, an edge elevation; Fig. 4, a central transverse section; and Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 4, showing modifications in the construction.

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the base or support, B an auxiliary disk or plate, and C the mirror or reflector.

The base or support Ais preferably an extension of a suitable handle A', to which it is secured by a screw-threaded shank engaging with a socket formed to receive it, or the two parts may be formed in one piece,if preferred. Its opposite end is extended to form an indicating finger or pointer a.

The auxiliary disk or plate B is pivoted centrally on a tubular pivot a', which is mounted in the base A at an appropriate'point. Said disk is thus adapted to lrotate on said pivot in a plane parallel to said base. On its back is formed a segmental scale s,on which degrees from O to 180 are indicated, as shown in Fig. l. The point of indicator ct is arranged adjacent to said scale. A segmental sloth is formed in said disk, through which the point of an operating-lever projects, as will be presently described.

The mirror C is of the usual form, being a small round mirror supported in any appropriate manner in a metal disk C', the surface of which is made black, a small central portion being left uncovered in line with the tubular pivot a to form the peep-hole through which the examination is made, as common to this class of instruments. If preferred, however, it may be the full size of the disk C.l Said mirror is mounted in a frame C2, which is hinged or pivoted at one side to the auxiliary disk B by a hinge c. Said hinge is located at one edge of the mirror only, its pintle extending parallel with a chord of an arc of a circlewhich circle has the pivot of the rotary part for its center, said hinge be formed at intervals around the top of said .frame to hold said mirror in place therein.

By this means an interchange of mirrors in the same instrument is provided for and its usefulness and value thus enhanced. A lever `3 is pivoted on-the back of the base A near slot b in disk=B to bear against the under side --of the mirror-disk for the purpose of tilting it on its hinge, as Will be presently described. A spring S is secured to the disk B and engages with the edge of mirror-disk and holds said mirror normally flat against said disk B..

In Fig. 5 I have shown the lever L for tilt.- ing the mirror as pivot-ed 'on the front side of the shank of the base, and thus avoid the necessity of cutting the segmental slot b in disk B. I also show the mirror M as of the full size of its frame. The spring N for holding said mirror in its normal position against the disk B is also of different form than shown inl the principal views, being a fiat spring secured to the mirror and extending underA the hinge, with its outer free end bearing against the face of disk B. These and various other modications in the details of construction mayof course be made Withoutdepartingfrom the spirit of my invention.

In use the optician in measuring the refrac- IOO tive error in an astigmatic eye will desire to measure all meridians to find which is the least and Which the greatest. lt is preferable to first find the least, which is done by holding the instrument in the right hand, as in the use of a common hand-retinoscope, and with the forefinger around the knurled edge of disk B and second finger on the button 4 of lever 3, and then turning said disk B and adjusting the angle of the mirror until it casts a reflection across the least meridian. This sets the mirror to measure that meridian, and the pointer on the back of the instrument Will indicate the axis of that meridian on the scale s. Having determined the axis of the greater meridian in the same Way, the optician knows exactly how to set his lens to correct the errors discovered and has a definite basis to Work from.

In the use of the instrument any character of mirror desired may be inserted in the frame Ce by simply pressing open the side, which is slitted sufficiently to release the mirror therein and permit another to be inserted, mirrors of various sizes and forms being provided with each instrument.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. In a retinoscope, the combination ofthe base, a rotarydisk mounted on a tubular pivot extending at right angles therefrom, a mirror hinged at one edge on one side of the axis of said disk, and means for tilting said mirror on said hinge, substantially as set forth.

2. In a retinoscope, the combination, of the base carrying an indicatorpoint,a disk formed With an indicating-scale pivoted on said base, a mirror hinged on one side of the axis of said disk, and means for tilting said mirroron said hinge, substantially as set forth.

3. ln a retinoscope, the combination, of the base formed with a handle and pointer, a disk mounted centrally on a tubular pivot extending at right angles from said base and having a degree-scale formed around one edge adjacent to said pointer, a mirror hinged at one edge on one side of the axis of said disk, and a lever for tilting said mirror, substantially as set forth.

i. In a retinoscope, the combination, of the base, the disk pivoted centrally thereon, the mirror removably secured in a frame, said frame hinged on one side of the axis of said disk, and means for tilting said mirror, substantially as set forth.

5. In a retinoscope, the combination, of the base, the disk mounted to rotate on a central tubular pivot thereon, a spring-frame hinged on one side of the axis of said disk, and a mirror removably mounted in said springframe, substantially as set forth.

6. In a retinoscope, the combination, of the base or support, a part mounted on said base to rotate, and a mirror hinged at one edge to one side, of said rotary part, the hinge-pintle whereof extends parallel with a chord of an arc of a circle, which circle has the pivot of said rotary part as its center, and said pintle being located to one side of the axis of said rotary part, substantially as set forth.

7. A retinoscope comprising a handle carrying the base or support, a part mounted centrally on a pivot to rotate in its own plane thereon, and a mirror mounted on said rotary part to tilt bodily from a point of attachment on one side of the center across said center toward its opposite side, substantially as set forth.

8. A retinoscope comprising a handle caro rying a base or support, a part mounted to rotate in its own plane on said base, a mirror mounted on said rotary part to tilt from one edge bodily toward and from the adjacent surface of said rotary part, substantially as set forth.

9. A retinoscope comprising a handle by which the instru ment is held and manipulated said handle carrying a base or support, a rotary part mounted on said base or support and a mirror hinged to one side of said rotary part to swing from the hinged point in relation to the surface of said rotary part,whereby said mirror may be adjusted to various angies in use, substantially as set forth.

l0. A retinoscope comprising a handle by which the instrument is held and manipulated, a rotary part thereon, and a mirror hinged to said rotary part, whereby the angle of said mirror may be adjusted in the operation of the instrument, substantially as set forth.

ll. A retinoscope, comprising abase, a part mounted on a transversely-extending pivot on said base, to rotate parallel therewith, and a mirror hinged at one edge to one side of said rotary part, the hinge-pintle extending parallel With the chord of a circle having the pivot of said rotary part as its center, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Washington, District of Columbia, this 21st day of August, A. D. 1901.

WILLIAM HARRY ltlllSNEl. [L. S.]

Vitnesses:

CHAs. E. RIoRDoN, E. XV. BRADFORD.

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